I believe people on both the left and right have one thing in common, and that’s a disdain for a government that’s bought and sold by big business. The electorate has tried to fix the problem in two presidential elections. In one they elected a liberal outsider who promised change; in the next, a rogue businessman who promised change.

For the presidency, for Congress, money talks. It’s the same with local elections. Look at Rockledge’s choices.

I’ve seen lots of signs and advertisements for LaMarr; clearly, there’s some money behind him. Who is he? From FLORIDA TODAY, this is his closing comment on what he will do for Rockledge: “I will create jobs through the development of retail and commercial properties.”

This is his opponent’s, Brown-Martin's, closing comment: “My desire is not only to keep Rockledge beautiful, but healthy.”

If you had business interests in Rockledge, which one of these candidates would you want to sell to the electorate? Which would you rather have in your pocket?

If you were a citizen who enjoys the wonderful lagoon-side environment of our community, which politician would you rather have working for you?

I write in reference to the excellent Oct. 8 article by guest columnist Tess Martin.

In 1950-'51, my college roommate was a black American. I am of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry. He was an outstanding athlete in football, baseball and basketball. I was the Middle Atlantic wrestling champion. We were compatible roommates and both of us graduated in 1951.

In 1960, we met again at the Philadelphia General Hospital. He was the hospital pharmacist and I, a resident in internal medicine. At that time I wanted to invite him to have dinner with me and my new bride in Camden, New Jersey. But I did not, because I thought the neighbors would cause a problem for my wife. But that's the way things were in 1960 and apparently exist to some degree today, as noted by Tess Martin.

My classmate died about three years ago and my wife died April 20, 2017.

So, do it today, before it is too late.

Dr. Arland A. Adams, Melbourne

Paying it forward brings joy

Thanks to those who pay it forward. My parents are from the Greatest Generation (he's 92 and a World War II veteran; she's 87). Although both use walkers, they occasionally enjoy eating out at area restaurants.

On three occasions in the last few months, anonymous diners have instructed the server that my parents’ dinner bill was taken care of. These acts of kindness reinforce my belief that there are still plenty of good and well-meaning people in the world.

The Republicans just rolled out their new tax reduction plan. It blows up our debt an additional $1.5 trillion. And for what? Our economy is the strongest in the world now. GDP is up to 3 percent. Unemployment is at the lowest rate in decades. Inflation and interest rates are ridiculously low.

So why are Republicans giving a $774,000 average tax break to the top 10 percent of earners and little to none to the middle class? Because they can. For a win. Because attempts at health care reform were shot down by conservatives (Republicans no less) who are critical thinkers and voted country over party. Republicans want to pay back donors. The people who financed them into the majority. Republicans constantly paint themselves as our only protectors from growing debt, created by free-spending Democrats. Yet, here they are, hypocritically arguing to increase the debt $1.5 trillion.

And who will pay for this? Our children, their children, and so on. There are peanuts of tax relief in this bill for the middle class, and many in the middle class who will actually pay more tax. Pretty sad. This plan is reckless and those who promote it are as far from patriots as Benedict Arnold.

Call your representative (callyourrep.co/) and be heard. This senseless giveaway to the donor class does nothing to help the economy and adds $1.5 trillion of debt to further cripple it. Bottom line, this is another unpaid-for tax bill that our country does not need and really can't bear.